Trolley Shelf Hinge Clamping for Fold-Down Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid and immovable shelves on load transport trolleys pose a challenge when space-saving storage is required, as they cannot be easily adjusted or folded for compact positioning.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a clamping lever, pull rod, attachment element, and connecting elements allows for variable angular positioning of shelves, enabling them to be folded down for reduced dimensions, using a cylindrical attachment element and positioning elements for precise alignment and connection to the trolley frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shelves are rigidly and immovably fastened to the load transport trolley, then the shelves provide stable support for loads, but the trolley cannot be stowed in a space-saving manner
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is transformed from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamically adjustable component. The clamping device allows the shelf to be positioned at different angles relative to the trolley frame, enabling it to be folded down for compact storage or extended for load-bearing operations. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the shelf to adapt its configuration based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular position of the shelf relative to the trolley frame is changed as a variable parameter. By adjusting the angle between the shelf and the trolley (from folded to extended positions), the system achieves both compact storage when the shelf is at a reduced angle and stable load support when the shelf is at an operational angle, thus resolving the space-stability contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If shelves are made movable and foldable, then the trolley can be stowed in a space-saving manner, but the shelves cannot provide stable support for loads
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device incorporates a self-locking mechanism that automatically secures the shelf in its extended position when operational. The spring element and blocking element work together to maintain the shelf at the desired angle without requiring continuous external force, providing stable load support while retaining the ability to fold for compact storage when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is extracted as a separate mechanical subsystem (comprising the clamping lever, pull rod, blocking element, and spring) that independently manages the shelf's positional stability. This separated clamping mechanism ensures that when the shelf is in the extended operational position, it is securely held by the blocking element engaging with the frame, thus providing reliable load support despite the shelf's inherent movability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a clamping device with multiple components is introduced to enable shelf positioning, then the shelves can be variably positioned for space-saving storage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a compact integrated clamping device. The clamping lever, pull rod, blocking element, and spring are combined into a single mechanical assembly that performs both the positioning and locking functions. This integration reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate positioning and securing mechanisms, while still achieving variable angular positioning of the shelf.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull rod serves as an intermediary element that transmits the clamping force from the clamping lever to the blocking element. This intermediate component allows the system to achieve the desired shelf positioning through a mechanical advantage arrangement, where the lever's rotational motion is converted into linear motion of the blocking element, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining positioning versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Clamping device for variably positioning an angular setting of at least one shelf on a load transport trolley for transporting loads, preferably toolboxes. The clamping device includes a clamping lever for reversibly setting the clamping device in a clamped or released position, wherein, in the released position, the shelf is moveable; a pull rod which can be reversibly moved by the clamping lever into a first or second position, wherein the clamping device is in the clamped position when the pull rod is set into the first position, and the clamping device is in the released position when the pull rod is set into the second position; an attachment element for connecting the shelf to the clamping device; and a first and second connecting element for connecting the clamping device to a frame of the load transport trolley.